Braided brake line standards

[Wonko]

I took the bosses R100S Beemer for a WOF yesterday and it failed on the braided brake lines. I know that they are now meant to be up to standard due to a change in regulations a year ago. They have a crimped on tag at the top that reads "EARLS 29". After a google search, I take this to mean that they are made by Earls in the UK, but I am unable to find any spec's or standards that they comply to.

Mark at the GI Testing station said if I can prove that they are up to standard then he'll pass it, top bloke from the way he laid it out. Have fired off emails to the UK, and the USA distributers of Earls, but have yet to hear back from either. Can anyone help me out with this information, and proof too.

Cheers

[FROSTY:Me]

are they standard fittings?
.

[TwoSeven]

I've noticed that, quite a few car places dont seem to know what the correct type of connectors are supposed to be. My understanding is crimped are ok, screw on ones are not.

Its the NZ law that is crap and its unlikely that Earls or anyone else will know anything about it. I've been told that goodridge hoses are out too, but it might just be the race only kits - the pre-mades might use the right connector.

Here is the current law on motorcycle brakes. Its pretty stupid.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/publications...akes-v2-1a.pdf

[Ixion]

I've noticed that, quite a few car places dont seem to know what the correct type of connectors are supposed to be. My understanding is crimped are ok, screw on ones are not.

Its the NZ law that is crap and its unlikely that Earls or anyone else will know anything about it. I've been told that goodridge hoses are out too, but it might just be the race only kits - the pre-mades might use the right connector.

Here is the current law on motorcycle brakes. Its pretty stupid.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/publications...akes-v2-1a.pdf

It's

can be identified as complying with a
recognised approved automotive standard
(such as FMVSS-106).

that's the problem

[Motu]

Yep,of all the approved standards we are given an example of one.....guess what standard marking I want to see on your hoses?

[Wonko]

Frosty - to the best of my knowledge they are standard. Bike has done 44,000 miles, and has been in NZ for 10+ years, and the last 20,000 miles, imported from Hawaii. Boss has no memory of have had the lines changed.

[Wonko]

Yep,of all the approved standards we are given an example of one.....guess what standard marking I want to see on your hoses?

Now this is a hard one, but I'll take a stab at it, FMVSS-106?

[Ixion]

Frosty - to the best of my knowledge they are standard. Bike has done 44,000 miles, and has been in NZ for 10+ years, and the last 20,000 miles, imported from Hawaii. Boss has no memory of have had the lines changed.

Not OEM original then.

[bugjuice]

I've heard a couple of stories where one or two particular types of bikes have braided lines factory fitted. They were failed on their WOF and felt completely stuck. The nice man at the testing station (in the most subtle of pt) said to go back to the shop he bought it and buy the proper lines. durrrr.. they'll be braided too. I think in the end, he got a supporting letter from the manufacturer to say that the bike has braided lines as stock parts. Haven't heard anything about it since.

I had thought about saving up for braided lines. But then that means swapping the lines every time I need the get the WOF done. Hassle.. Are there any brands that do comply?

[vifferman]

I had thought about saving up for braided lines. But then that means swapping the lines every time I need the get the WOF done. Hassle.. Are there any brands that do comply?

Yup. As long as they've got the standard printed on the side, they're fine (unless you go somewhere where there's a really bureaucratic prat working).
I fitted BSR Aerotek lines to the 'Storm, because the standard brake lines were so awful. Went to Mt Eden to look at tyres, and Mike told me my pretty new lines were illegal. WTF?!?

So, 4 days after I fitted the new lines, I went to Kerry at Motohaus, and he replaced them with whatever he sells; I think (not sure) that they're HEL, with DOTxxxx summat printed all over the sheathing. No problems at all. Especially since Kerry does WOFs anyway. But they DO comply with the regs.

As a matter of interest, I felt that the Aeroteks were better quality fittings - they looked nicer, and had marginally better feel, possibly due to slightly smaller internal diameter. It was very tempting to just bodge up some markings on the sides that had the same compliance numbers...

This topic was actually my first posting, back in March 2004.

[bugjuice]

Yup. As long as they've got the standard printed on the side, they're fine (unless you go somewhere where there's a really bureaucratic prat working).
I fitted BSR Aerotek lines to the 'Storm, because the standard brake lines were so awful. Went to Mt Eden to look at tyres, and Mike told me my pretty new lines were illegal. WTF?!?

So, 4 days after I fitted the new lines, I went to Kerry at Motohaus, and he replaced them with whatever he sells; I think (not sure) that they're HEL, with DOTxxxx summat printed all over the sheathing. No problems at all. Especially since Kerry does WOFs anyway. But they DO comply with the regs.

As a matter of interest, I felt that the Aeroteks were better quality fittings - they looked nicer, and had marginally better feel, possibly due to slightly smaller internal diameter. It was very tempting to just bodge up some markings on the sides that had the same compliance numbers...

This topic was actually my first posting, back in March 2004.

Well I was going to buy some sexy ones from overseas, but looks like I'd either get screwed doing that, or have to change them back and forth every 6 months.. btw, is it only new/first reg vehicles that get a year long WOF?

As for the few 'compliant' lines out there (if there's more than one), how do we know that they are an upgrade to the current lines, and not just a swap or downgrade from slightly better rubber ones? Thus being limited in choice..

[vifferman]

btw, is it only new/first reg vehicles that get a year long WOF?

I think it's for the first 7 years, for new vehicles?
When I bought my '97 VTR (in 2004) it had a one-year WOF.

As for the few 'compliant' lines out there (if there's more than one), how do we know that they are an upgrade to the current lines, and not just a swap or downgrade from slightly better rubber ones? Thus being limited in choice..

I'm not sure what you mean.
If your brakes are working well, leave them alone.
I swapped the VTR's ones because (a) the rubber lines had too much flex, and (b) the OEM lines have a 1-into-2 setup with a 'hump' above the front mudguard, and bubbles tend to accumulate in the lines. It's very hard to bleed them properly, and I got tired of spongey brakes. Yes, they looked sexy too, but that was just a bonus, not the reason I fitted them.

If you want braided lines (for whatever reasons, e.g., to have some of a pretty colour, better feel, etc.), then just go to someone reputable to buy them. If it's someone like Kerry, you can trust him to not bullshit you about their merits, and tell you whether you're wasting your money.

[pritch]

Bugga!

I was thinking of getting Galfer stainless hoses. These kits are of Spanish manufacture and seem to be sold all over europe and the USA.

Guess I had better check that there is a standard of some sort quoted.

[Motu]

It's up to YOU ,the owner to prove beyond doubt that they comply - if you send the AVI off to do that job he can charge you for his time,it's not part of the WoF fee.All he has to say is it doesn't comply,then the job is in your hands - make sure they comply before you fit them.

Vehicles get a 12 mth WoF for 6 years after manufacter,it used to be only NZ new,but they have changed that to first rego anywhere.

[bugjuice]

I'm not sure what you mean.
If your brakes are working well, leave them alone.
I swapped the VTR's ones because (a) the rubber lines had too much flex, and (b) the OEM lines have a 1-into-2 setup with a 'hump' above the front mudguard, and bubbles tend to accumulate in the lines. It's very hard to bleed them properly, and I got tired of spongey brakes. Yes, they looked sexy too, but that was just a bonus, not the reason I fitted them.

If you want braided lines (for whatever reasons, e.g., to have some of a pretty colour, better feel, etc.), then just go to someone reputable to buy them. If it's someone like Kerry, you can trust him to not bullshit you about their merits, and tell you whether you're wasting your money.

My brakes are pretty damn good as they are, but I want them to be grrrrrrrrrreat!!!!!!

How do I know that the replacement pipes I'm going to shell out on are better than the stock ones I have now? Just under constant heavy braking, they've had a bit of brake fade. I'm going to drain the pipes and put DOT5 in, and uprate the pads (discs are a fortune, like the lines, so those won't be for a little while). Plus, braided just look damn sexy


Motu - thanks for the info. Who's AVI? What's the process there then?
Cool on the 12mth warrent. Only change the lines once a year then...